Vergne Lays Down A Marker In Practice One

Jean-Eric Vergne (Photo Credit: World Series by Renault/Gilles Levent-DPPI)

Jean–Eric Vergne topped the timesheets in Practice One at Paul Ricard by over six tenths of a second from Carlin team mate and title rival Robert Wickens at Paul Ricard this morning.

Vergne, who trails his Canadian team mate by 34 points, was quickest by 0.673 seconds in the opening practice session on World Series by Renault’s inaugural round at Le Castellet with a lap of 1:52.469.

Carlin were supreme in winter testing at the French circuit and their immediate pace will be a significant warning to the rest of the field.

The nearest non-Carlin runner was Epic‘s Albert Costa, while Daniil Move and Brendon Hartley in fourth and fifth were the only two drivers to be within a second of Vergne’s fastest time.

Daniel Ricciardo, competing in his final Formula Renault 3.5 race of the season because the final round in Barcelona clashes with the Japanese Grand Prix, was 17th quickest.